Product Review: Knucklebone

If you do BJJ….. hand strength and dexterity are a really important asset. There’s a TON of gear out there to help you develop it. 

Even if you have all the hand strength and dexterity you need…. Your hands are probably sore as shit…. Like ALL the time. Every strength and conditioning equipment supplier has a section on hand strength and recovery. It’s THAT important. 

I just wrote an article on a really cool set meditation beads called Komboloi. While falling down that rabbit hole I discovered a company called Aroundsquare (AO2) some of the coolest rehab/prehab/recovery equipment I’ve found in a while. Thing is….. They aren’t marketing it like that. They’re calling them “skill toys”. But… What I see are super high quality hand conditioning gear. They have a few really interesting things that fit this same idea. But…. the one I want to focus on are their Knucklebone. 

The Kbone is essentially a dumbbell for your fingers! 

Here’s a video of it in use. There are a million tutorials on their youtube channel.

They have different sizes and weights so you can make progressions as you get stronger, or to meet different training goals, or hand size. They have tutorials on different patterns. I’ve tested these out with different athletes at our academy. And they all agree….. Their hands feel healthier, stronger, and less painful overall. The arthritis in my hands has become noticeably less painful. And, I’ve hit a few PR’s in hand strength events in the Strongman work I’ve been doing!

Now….. These benefits make sense. Hell…. They LOOK like dumbbells for fuck sake. But….. I’ve discovered there are some unexpected effects these things can have. 

Just like with the Komboloi….. They’re having a huge effect on my screen time. I am on screens like 75% less than before I found AO2. And…. That is a HUGE unexpected benefit. The Knucklebones are quiet. So… I can use them really inconspicuously like waiting in line for coffee or something out in public. Komboloi are kinda noisy and obvious. But these…. Most don’t even notice them in my hand. I an WAAAAY less likely to mindless scroll with a Kbone on me. And reduced screen time has a TON of positive effects.

I have Physical, and Occupational Therapists looking at AO2’s gear for application in their work. Hell….. I’m even seeing studies on their benefits for people dealing with PTSD, and Anxiety. It’s becoming clear that these things are so much more than just “toys”. 

Combat Sports Athletes. Strength Athletes. Rock Climbers. Musicians. Students.I’m encouraging basically everyone to check AO2 out. Whether your are focusing on your hand strength/health…. Or trying to reduce screen time….. Or manage stress/anxiety…. AO2 has the gear. The Knucklebones are my favorite thing they make at this time. But ALL their gear has the same effect on the hands and brain. Just pick the gear that speaks to you the most. The one you will actually use will be the most effective in the long run. 

(For a limited time, the promo code THEACADEMY will get you a 10% discount on any product at aroundsquare.)